A new innovation hub has opened in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help Queensland companies establish operations in the massive Dubai South development.

The 145km2 Dubai South community is currently being built and is ultimately expected to be home to 1 million people who will require a wide range of urban services.

A number of Queensland companies have already established commercial agreements with Dubai South, or are finalising agreements that will see them established in the new innovation hub while developing their professional relationships with the project.

Many are supporting the development’s sustainability goals.

For example, Gold Coast business Greywater Solutions has undertaken a successful pilot project with Dubai South, and Brisbane-based Azzurra has conducted a successful water conservation and sustainability pilot and is currently finalising negotiations to provide products and services to Dubai South and the broader region.

Ipswich-based NuGrow will pilot a greening project and establish a recycling and waste management facility under a joint venture agreement, while Brisbane’s Redback Technologies will trial solar solutions later this year.

The new Queensland Innovation Hub will allow even more Queensland companies to establish a presence in the region and access local business opportunities.

Speaking before the opening of the hub, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said Queensland companies had a real role to play in realising the UAE government’s vision for Dubai South.

‘There are a number of outstanding Queensland businesses helping support the ambitious vision to make the Dubai South development a smart and sustainable city,’ Ms Trad said.

‘Providing companies with an office space at the Queensland Innovation Hub means they can establish a presence in-market quickly and economically and access business opportunities across the Middle East.’

Further commercial agreements with Dubai South were signed during Ms Trad’s trade mission to the Middle East.

Gold Coast based Transit Australia Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Roads and Transport Authority Dubai to provide transit services and products, including electric buses.